May 23, 2011

Mavs nemesis official Danny Crawford to work Game 4 at OKC tonight

The NBA has posted it referee assignments for tonight's pivotal Game 4 matchup of the Western Conference Finals between the Mavericks and the Thunder and old Dallas nemesis Danny Crawford will be working the court.

The Mavericks have a 3-16 playoff record in games worked by Crawford. It should be noted that they are in the midst of a one game winning streak after beating the Trailblazers in the first round with Crawford on the sidelines.

But this certainly thickens the plot for a Mavericks team enjoying a franchise-best four game road winning streak.

Of course there is some irony in Crawford working the game, considering the Mavericks are not happy with the way the Thunder has been allowed to play physical defense the past two games, particularly Nick Collison on Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki shot 24 free throws in game one, 10 in game two and just three in game three.

Could Crawford help the Mavs by calling the game closer and help Nowitzki get back to the free thrown line?